in 2001 for of its size, altitude range, complex lithology, landform diversity, and wealth of endemic flora and fauna.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Alejandro Humboldt National Park - Cuba
in 2001 for of its size, altitude range, complex lithology, landform diversity, and wealth of endemic flora and fauna.
DE-948671
DE-948671, sent by Claus.
"The ensemble of buildings, sports facilities and open spaces of the Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), was built from 1949 to 1952 by more than 60 architects, engineers and artists who were involved in the project. As a result, the campus constitutes a unique example of 20th-century modernism integrating urbanism, architecture, engineering, landscape design and fine arts with references to local traditions, especially to Mexico’s pre-Hispanic past. The ensemble embodies social and cultural values of universal significance and is one of the most significant icons of modernity in Latin America." - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1250 It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2007.
Information about the solar, Toltec, and Maya calendars is carefully built into el Castillo. Each stairway has exactly 91 steps, times four is 364 plus the top platform equals 365, the days in the solar calendar. The pyramid has 52 panels in the nine terraces; 52 is the number of years in the Toltec cycle. Each of the nine terraced steps are divided in two: 18 for the months in the yearly Maya calendar. Most impressively, though, is not the numbers game, but the fact that on the autumnal and vernal equinoxes, the sun shining on the platform edges forms shadows on the balustrades of the north face that look like a writhing rattle snake." - in: http://archaeology.about.com/od/archaeologic7/ig/Chichen-Itza/El-Castillo.htm
Today "El Castillo" is one of the most recognized and widely visited pre-Columbian structures in present-day Mexico.
As one of the buildings the Chichen Itza archaeological site, El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, is on the World Heritage List since 1988.
EE-106277
FI-1118917
FI-1118917, sent by Pirjo.
BY-195554
Sunday, June 26, 2011
RU-445460
Nancy - France
"This impressive gateway into Nancy was built at the end of the 14th century as part of the walls encircling the town. The large twin towers flanking the gate were added on at the end of the 15th century and were used as prisons. The small lantern above the main gate dates back to the 17th century and contained a bell which rang out the hours of the day, the beginning of the curfew and informed the population of public executions. The Lorraine Cross on the facade is a reminder that the emblem was adopted after the victory of the Battle of Nancy." - in: http://www.ot-nancy.fr/uk/centre_historique/porte_de_la_craffe.php
Friday, June 24, 2011
Empress Elisabeth of Austria
The Viennese aristocracy was making fun of her and her mother in law Sophie took over the control of her life. Her children were taken from her and Sisi was barely allowed to see them, putting her in deep depression and illness. After two year of cure and lodging in Madeira, Korfu and Bavaria, Sisi returned with new confidence to Vienna. She decided to take control for political issues and soon took interest in Hungary, the very troubled neighbour of Austria. In 1867 she was crowned Queen of Hungary. Sisi was obsessed with her beauty and her perfect figure and taking care of her body, resulting in anorexia. Her very liberal ideas, her call for a republic structure and her effort for the poor and troublesome made her very popular with the Austrian people.
In 1870 she decided to withdraw from public life and tried to live the life of a private person. On the 10th of September, while she was walking through Geneva, she was assassinated by a young Italian anarchist.
The history of the Imperial couple is closely linked to Vienna and its palaces: Schoenbrunn Palace, Imperial Castle or Hermesvilla are just some of the spots reminiscent of the imperial couple." - in: http://www.aboutvienna.org/personalities/wittelsbach.php
Austrian Unesco sites
Monday, June 20, 2011
Vila Nova de Famalicão - Portugal
Silves Cathedral - Portugal
The origins of the monument are unknown. Documents affirm that in 1189, when Silves was taken by the Christian troops to the Moors, the Cathedral was built over the ancient Mosque, yet there are no material vestiges of this fact.
The architectonic style that has been maintained until nowadays is markedly Gothic, beginning in the 13th century and kept over long periods of construction.
In fact, several earthquakes that started damaging the still unfinished monument, which was restored in the 15th century in a simple type of Gothic style.
Afterwards other restoration works took place, namely in the 18th century (in the sequence of the big earthquake of 1755) and in the 20th century with the heritage preservation works when some annexes built in other architectonic periods were destroyed, with the goal to give back to the building its original Gothic purity.
The Cathedral presents a plant in latin cross, a nave with about 18 meters height, two lateral naves with golden sculpted altars dated from the Baroque period.
The famous central Portal is formed by an ogival arch with six archivolts.
In the south façade is another Portal in Baroque style dated from 1781, designated as “porta do Sol” (Sun’s Door).
The interior of the Cathedral contains the tombstone of the Portuguese king D. João the 2nd (whose body was later transferred to the wonderful Batalha Monastery), as well as several tombs of bishops and noble families of Silves." - in: http://www.getportugal.com/en/poi-se-catedral-de-silves-17338
Funchal - Madeira
Funchal has also for many years been one of the Atlantic Cruise-ship’s main ports of call; with the Liner harbour right in the middle of the town. The approach to Funchal Harbour is well documented as one of the two most spectacular in the world, being on a par with Rio de Janeiro. It has now become a tradition that most European Liners, on their maiden voyage, call here; it is quite usual to see upwards of four cruise ships in at any one time. Once ashore, the cafés, restaurants and history that mark this famed capital are just a stroll away." - in: http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/funchal.html
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Toronto Meet-Up
Julian Alps - Slovenia
They extend over the northwestern part of Slovenia and cover a surface area of around 4400 km2. The mountain range is divided into two large sections: the Eastern Julian Alps and the Western Julian Alps. There are approximately 150 mountains over 2000 metres high in the Slovene Julian Alps; 25 of these are over 2500 metres high. The Sava and the Soča are the two major rivers rising in the Julian Alps.
The Julian Alps take their name from the Julian dynasty who ruled on the southern side of the Alps and were first mentioned in ancient times. The Julian Alps are built of Mesozoic marine sediments. Tectonic forces created fractures and folding and carved out magnificent rock faces and peaks. The varied flora and fauna rightly enjoy considerable fame. Natural riches, plentiful water sources and a favourable climate created conditions for early settlement in this wonderful corner of Europe." - in: http://www.julijske-alpe.com/english/
Oliwa Cathedral - Gdansk
"This Holy Trinity, Blessed Virgin Mary, and St Bernard's Church was first erected as a Cistercian shrine back in the 13th century. Reconstructed in 1350 after a great fire, it re-emerged in the Gothic style, but many of the new fixtures were to be relatively short lived. The Gothic interior was extremely damaged in a 1577 fire and was replaced with the Baroque fixtures we admire today for their beauty and intensity. Structurally, the cathedral is a triple-aisle, vaulted basilica built on the plan of the Latin cross. The Oliwa Cathedral is perhaps best known for its massive, yet splendid organ. The organ is comprised of over 7,000 pipes and is decorated with movable angels and brightly painted stars. When built, the instrument was the largest in Europe. The main alter is also very impressive, but if the organ is in use, you're sure to be riveted by its magnificent sound!" - in: http://www.gdansk-life.com/culture/culture_details/306-The_Oliwa_Cathedral
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sugatag - Romania
Putorana Plateau - Russia
"This site coincides with the area of the Putoransky State Nature Reserve, and is located in the central part of the Putorana Plateau in northern Central Siberia. It is situated about 100 km north of the Arctic Circle. The part of the plateau inscribed on the World Heritage List harbours a complete set of subarctic and arctic ecosystems in an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest tundra, tundra and arctic desert systems, as well as untouched cold-water lake and river systems. A major reindeer migration route crosses the property, which represents an exceptional, large-scale and increasingly rare natural phenomenon." in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1234
Chinese Unesco cards
These grottoes were inscribed on the Unesco list in 2000.
Mount Wuyi was added to the Unesco's list in 1999.
The Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas is a Unesco World heritage Site in Yunnan province, since 2003.
Occupying an area that covers 41.300 square miles in northwestern Yunnan Province, the landscape of Three Parallel Rivers is composed of three torrential rivers: Nujiang, Lancang and Jinsha, as well as the mountains in their valleys.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
TW-311208
Hsin-Kuang Pier is now the central section station for the Dudu Train, and a shuttle point for ferry boats." - in: http://lily.1touch.com.tw/harbor/01eng/06hsin-kuang%20pier.htm